Sunday, 22 January 2017

Much needed rain for California as most powerful of three massive storms to hit LA today: Floods expected

Photo JetHeadBlogg

The most powerful of the three storms to
hit the past few days storm is bearing down on the Southland, with flash floods
and mudslides possible, the National Weather Service said. Authorities in Los
Angeles have evacuated some communities facing serious risk of flooding
including 120 homes in the vicinity of the Sand Fire, which burned more than
38,000 acres last July, and the City of Duarte where the Fish Fire burned in
June.

The City of Los Angeles is also urging residents to prepare for the heavy
rain expected Sunday by having a basic emergency kit ready in an accessible
place, according to a city release.

The kit should include bottled water, a
flashlight, extra batteries and a battery-powered radio or television.

The
storm was expected to start moving into the area in the form of light rain
after midnight Sunday, become moderate around 4 a.m. and be heaviest between 10
a.m. and 4 p.m., according to NWS Meteorologist Carol Smith.

What gives this
storm the potential for the biggest punch of the three- storm series is that it
is moist and slow-moving, Smith said.

The moisture is subtropical, moving in
from the southwest with "a good lift over the San Gabriel Mountains."

Between 2-4 inches of rainfall is expected in the coastal and valley areas and
3-6 inches could fall in the foothill and mountain areas, especially the San
Gabriel Mountains and foothills, she said.

"We are definitely looking at
possible flooding," Smith said.

A flash flood watch was issued for all of
Los Angeles County from Sunday afternoon through evening, with debris flows
also possible in burn areas.

Periods of intense rainfall are forecast for
Sunday afternoon at rates of 1 to 1 1/2 inches per hour, she said.

The NWS has
issued a Flash Flood Watch for Los Angeles County from Sunday afternoon to
Sunday evening, with flash flooding, debris flows, landslides and rockslides
possible due to the periods of heavy rain.

"They are not imminent but a
good possibility," Smith said.

People who drive in a deluge of rain were
urged to go slowly and steer clear of flooded roadways. Just six inches of
water is enough to cause you to lose control of your vehicle, the city said.

Never drive on flooded roads. Downed trees, clogged storm drains, flooding and
land or mud slides can be reported through the MyLA311 app.

More information on
the app is available at MyLA311.lacity.org.

If power lines are knocked down,
residents were urged to call the LADWP at (800) Dial-up. People were warned not
to remove fallen tree limbs or debris from power lines because they can conduct
electricity that can shock anyone who comes in contact with it.

A high surf
warning remained in effect until 6 a.m. Sunday and a coastal flood advisory was
cancelled.

Surf of 10-15 feet expected Saturday was to diminish to 6-12 feet by
Sunday.

Rainfall should diminish to showers early Monday with a slight chance
of thunderstorms through the day and light showers in the afternoon, tapering
off into evening, Smith said.

The weather will clear after lingering showers
pass Tuesday and Wednesday through Friday should be clear and cool, with
temperatures in the low to mid-60s, she said.

The drought impact of the past
week's storms could be quantified Monday, Smith said.